2020: Year of the Hydrangea
Every year, the National Garden Bureau, a non-profit organization promoting the pleasures of home gardening, selects one annual, one perennial, oneContinue Reading
Category: Shrubs
Cutting a Willow Hedge Down to Size
So-called dwarf arctic willow (Salix purpurea ‘Nana’). Photo: Susan Hagen, pinterest.com Question: A few years ago, we were sold arctic willows asContinue Reading
How to Prune an Overgrown Rhododendron
Some rhododendrons reach an enormous size if not pruned. Photo: Oh Kaye, flickr.com Question: I have a very large rhododendron (2.5 mContinue Reading
The Best Time for Hydrangea Pruning
Smooth hydrangea (left), big leaf hydrangea (middle), panicle hydrangea (right). Only the first and last should be pruned in spring.Continue Reading
Peonies From Seed?
Peonies are slow growing, but yes, you can start them from seed. Photo: palmitersgardennursery.com & www.ebay.ie, montage: laidbackgardener.blog. Did youContinue Reading
How to Prune a Hydrangea Tree
Question I have a hydrangea tree, but its branches are too long. So when it rains, the branches and flowersContinue Reading
A Few Good Plant Choices
Boxwood Green Velvet (Buxus Green Velvet™). Photo: www.amazon.com The following article was adapted from a press release by Handpicked forContinue Reading
A Watering Basin for New Plantings
Watering basin around a newly planted tree. Photo: ucanr.edu To ensure proper watering the first year after planting, that is,Continue Reading
Why Do Cats Go Nuts Over Weigelas?
Question: My 7-year-old cat has discovered my weigela bush. During flowering, he climbs into the shrub to grab the flowers,Continue Reading
New Plants for 2019
There are plenty of new plants that will be showing up in garden centers shortly or that you can orderContinue Reading